Communications Interface Patents (Class 725/117)
  • Publication number: 20140331269
    Abstract: A data communication architecture delivers a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architecture employs channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. The architecture includes intermediate network devices that may receive content and send content using different groups of communication channels. The network device may process content received across a first set of communication channels for transmission across a second set of communication channels different from the first set. Such processing may preserve a program order of the content during delivery to a destination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Rajesh Shankarrao Mamidwar, Xuemin Chen, Victor Hou
  • Patent number: 8881204
    Abstract: A system for providing devices such as WCDs, televisions, stereos, video game systems, etc. access to media content through an entity such as a web server. In accordance with at least one embodiment, UPnP or DLNA compliant devices may utilize a user's home network to access a user's media library from on an online media service. The media service may provide a user interface to the device to enable the user to access his media library. The media may be stored on a networked storage device connected to the media service, on the user's network devices, on the user's WCD, etc. The media service may automatically query the user's WCD to determine the presence of other persons in his proximity, and determine their preferences. A customized media stream that is suitable for the whole group may be generated based at least in part on the combined preferences of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing, S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Juho Ojala, Johan Wikman, Jukka K. Nurminen, Atte Lahtiranta
  • Patent number: 8878994
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a first receiver, a screen transmitter, a second receiver and a controller. The first receiver receives first information associated with a display function of an external device. The screen transmitter generates an operation screen for operating the apparatus based on the first information, and transmits a video signal of the generated operation screen to the external device. The second receiver receives second information associated with content of an operation on the operation screen from the external device. The controller controls operation of the apparatus based on the second information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takahiro Arai, Eita Shuto
  • Patent number: 8875197
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for mosaics of live views of traffic via Internet Protocol Television. Exemplary embodiments include a network-based method for providing traffic views, the method including receiving a request to display a traffic views mosaic on a communications device, retrieving traffic views data and providing the traffic views data to the communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellecutal Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: David DeLorme
  • Patent number: 8875175
    Abstract: A digital video viewing system including methods for user selection of video advertisement content and time of display of video advertisements during a live video content stream. The digital video viewing system includes modules for receiving, evaluating and transmitting data within the digital video viewing system and to Internet protocol content providers. Also shown are methods for recording and re-playing live internet protocol content in conjunction with the video advertisement display methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Network Entertainment International LLC
    Inventors: Charles McCoy, True Xiong, Stewart Stremler
  • Patent number: 8872972
    Abstract: A router module is arranged in a housing of a smart television. The router module is externally connected to a modem for surfing the Internet. The router module is electrically connected to a micro processing unit of the smart television. Therefore, the smart television is connected to the Internet through the router module. A wireless transmission chip of the router module is configured to process Internet signals. An antenna module is configured to wirelessly transmit the Internet signals, so that wireless network is shared to outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Nai-Chien Chang
  • Patent number: 8868463
    Abstract: A method of managing digital rights is disclosed that includes recording media content at one or more servers supporting a multimedia content distribution service. The one or more servers are configured to transmit multimedia data to multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. The method further includes determining recorded media content at the one or more servers that is associated with a content source and providing a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible to a content manager at the content source to manage digital rights. The GUI includes a list of the recorded media content and at least one selectable element associated with each item of the list accessible to select media content and to configure digital rights associated with the selected media content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Grannan
  • Patent number: 8850506
    Abstract: A method and system for supporting media services on devices lacking capabilities to execute reverse transmission communicates necessary to request and/or locate the services. The method and system may be suitable for use with switched broadcast television (SBT) system having unidirectional digital cable products (UDCPs) which are unable to execute reverse transmission communicates necessary to support SBT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cable Television Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Broberg
  • Patent number: 8843954
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an information transmission method, system and data card, wherein the method comprises: a sender scrambling original information in a predetermined scrambling way, and sending scrambled information to a receiver; the receiver receiving the scrambled information, and descrambling the scrambled information in a predetermined descrambling way to obtain the original information, wherein the predetermined scrambling way corresponds to the predetermined descrambling way. In accordance with the disclosure, contents to be transmitted are scrambled and the scrambled contents are sent to the receiver, and the receiver can restore the transmitted contents by performing descrambling according to the scrambling way used by the sender. The disclosure can avoid the transmitted contents from being monitored, as well as avoid the keys from being stolen; therefore, the security of the transmitted contents is effectively improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Shiliang Guo, Longan Xiao
  • Patent number: 8842223
    Abstract: The present technology relates to a transmitter apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a transmitter system capable of easily transmitting a wideband signal. The transmitter apparatus includes: a first acquisition unit that obtains first transmission control information; a second acquisition unit that obtains second transmission control information similar to information input to another transmitter apparatus; and a generating unit that processes transmission target data based on a parameter contained in the first transmission control information and generates data including the processed transmission target data and the second transmission control information. The present technology can be applied to a transmitter apparatus that transmits a DVB-C2 signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroo Takahashi, Lachlan Bruce Michael, Takashi Yokokawa, Naoki Yoshimochi, Takahiro Okada
  • Patent number: 8843982
    Abstract: A video server determines a frequency at which various content titles are accessed, and forms and communicates to downstream client devices a first data carousel of metadata about at least some of the various content titles, the metadata about a particular content title included in the data carousel or not according to how frequently the particular content title is accessed. The video server forms and communicates to downstream edge server devices a second data carousel comprising metadata about at least some of the various content titles, the second carousel updated more frequently than the first data carousel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Cliff Aaby, Byron Griffin
  • Patent number: 8830297
    Abstract: An Open Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform is provided. By providing remote medical services to users in the Open IPTV environment using a remote medical service providing apparatus including: an application programming interface (API) calling unit to call, when receiving a request for receiving a remote medical service from a counselor's terminal, an API of an Open Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform; and a service provider to provide the remote medical service to a user through the API, it is possible to provide remote medical service operators with environments where they can develop and share various remote medical to services and content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Eung-Ha Kim, Sun-Joong Kim, Won-Joo Park, Kee-Seong Cho, Won Ryu
  • Patent number: 8826359
    Abstract: System and method to extend the upstream data capacity of an HFC CATV system by extending a “shadow” optical fiber network deeper into the various CATV cable neighborhoods, with coax fiber terminals (CFT) spaced roughly according to the distribution of CATV active devices such as RF amplifiers. The CFT can intercept local upstream data from various neighborhood sub-regions and transform this upstream data into upstream optical data, thus relieving upstream data congestion in the 5-42 MHz CATV frequency region. The system can produce an order of magnitude improvement in upstream capability, while maintaining high compatibility with legacy HFC equipment. The CFT may exist in multiple embodiments ranging from low-cost “dumb” CFT to sophisticated CFT that can additionally provide GigE to the home (GTTH) service. Methods to maintain good compatibility with legacy CMTS devices, and methods to utilize DOCSIS MAP data for more efficient data transmission are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Gainspeed, Inc.
    Inventor: Selim Shlomo Rakib
  • Patent number: 8819755
    Abstract: A data communication architecture delivers a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architecture employs channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. The architecture includes intermediate network devices that may receive content and send content using different groups of communication channels. The network device may process content received across a first set of communication channels for transmission across a second set of communication channels different from the first set. Such processing may preserve a program order of the content during delivery to a destination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Shankarrao Mamidwar, Xuemin Chen, Victor Hou
  • Patent number: 8813135
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a home cable network may comprise, for example, in a premises-based wired network (network), receiving by a root node network controller (NC), signals that conform to first protocols, where the signals may be received from sources external to the premises. The received signals may be bridged to conform to a second communications protocol and communicated to one or more networked devices comprising a television set top box downstream from the root node device where, for example, only signals conforming to the second communications protocol may be communicated. The first protocol signals may comprise data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS), cable television, satellite television, fiber-to-the-home, and/or digital subscriber (DSL) signals. The second communications protocol may, for example, comprise a multimedia over cable alliance (MoCA) standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Maxlinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Timothy Gallagher
  • Patent number: 8806556
    Abstract: Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Xuemin Chen, Rajesh Shankarrao Mamidwar, Anand Tongle, Victor Hou
  • Patent number: 8806545
    Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating distribution of content are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a method of facilitating demand-driven population and management of online content within a video-on-demand (VOD) service includes receiving trend information and a link reference at one or more input ports, the reference being at least indirectly indicative of a location at which the content is available, and obtaining and normalizing, by way of one or more processing devices, metadata pertaining to the content. The method further includes determining business rule information pertaining to the content based at least indirectly upon the trend information, content provider policy information, and the normalized metadata, via the processing device(s), and outputting via one or more output ports the business rule information for receipt by the VOD service, whereby availability and prioritization of the content at the VOD service is based at least in part upon the output business rule information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Nitya Narasimhan, Harry Bliss, Joseph Wodka
  • Patent number: 8782727
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for implementing adaptive video stream testing are presented. In particular, installation of a digital rights management (DRM) client is validated. Furthermore, a decrypted video stream at a particular bitrate is received in response to validating a DRM client. Data throttling is implemented to simulate one or more network speeds for the decrypted video stream. Additionally, video playback time is measured for a codec at the one or more network speeds and it is determined whether the video playback time for the codec exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A test report is generated that lists the codec and the video playback time for the codec at the one or more network speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Guru Nagarajan, Andrew Flynn
  • Patent number: 8763031
    Abstract: The present invention claims a method and a system for managing a Program In Word (PIW) service of a video program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Shaoping Xu
  • Patent number: 8752106
    Abstract: A mesh network sensor and video surveillance system and method for providing communication between a base system having at least one wireless sensor capture device SCD and other SCD(s) and at least one input capture device ICD and other ICD(s), wherein the SCD(s) are capable of smart cross-communication with each other and with the ICD(s) and where the where the ICD(s) are capable of smart cross-communication with each other and offer remote access to their inputs and the SCD(s) inputs via a server computer, including the steps of providing this base system; at least one user accessing the ICD and SCD inputs remotely via a user interface through a remote server computer and/or electronic device communicating with it, for providing a secure sensor surveillance system with extended inputs range and wireless smart cross-communication for monitoring a target environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Smartvue Corporation
    Inventor: Martin A. Renkis
  • Publication number: 20140157346
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and devices for distributing video content in a peer-to-peer network. A video content source outputs video content to a first display device of a plurality of display devices. Each of the plurality of display devices is configured to automatically detect and download video content from one or more others of the plurality of display devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: ClearOne Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Avishay Ben Natan, Tom Searcy
  • Patent number: 8736762
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for communication between a mobile phone and a TV set. The method comprises the following steps of: generating standard RGB signals by an LCD controller in a central processing unit (CPU) of the mobile phone; transmitting the RGB signals to an LCD of the mobile phone and a TV-OUT chip simultaneously; enabling the TV-OUT chip to receive and recognize the RGB signals through configuration of commands; carrying out video conversion on the RGB signals by the TV-OUT chip to output standard AV signals; and transmitting the AV signals to a display of the TV set via a dock. With this disclosure, information on the LCD screen of the mobile phone can be transmitted to the display of the TV set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Luo, Xianglai Li, Shuqiang Huang
  • Patent number: 8736763
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content synchronizing method includes: first transmitting when receiving an acquiring request for reference time to determine a timing to synchronize a plurality of pieces of content executed by a plurality of modules with each other from a first module out of the modules, the acquiring request for the reference time to a second module out of the modules; receiving source information indicating an acquisition source of the reference time from the second module; and acquiring reference time information indicating the reference time from the acquisition source indicated by the source information, wherein second transmitting to the first module, together with the reference time information, processing time information indicating processing time from receiving the acquiring request until transmitting the reference time information, the processing time information being used to calculate a time lag between time in the first module and the reference time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshikata Tobita
  • Patent number: 8726327
    Abstract: A P2P network has a content provider and a plurality of peers viewing the same video streaming channel. Each peer has a P2P live streaming system. In an exemplary system, a token manager module manages at least a token sent by the plurality of peer nodes, notifies a recording manager module to publish recorded media stream content, and to record media stream data. The recording manager module, according to the notification, manages a corresponding buffer for each peer node itself, records the media stream content into the corresponding buffer and publishes the recorded media stream content information to the P2P network. A P2P module handles the P2P messages and maintains the P2P network topology for the plurality of peer nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Ben Miao, Ce-Kuen Shieh, Tzu-Chi Huang, Chiuan-Yu Wei, Ben-Wen Luo, Ping-Chun Tseng
  • Patent number: 8719373
    Abstract: A method includes connecting a communications device to an Internet Multimedia Subsystem network. The method includes transmitting presence information indicating multimedia capabilities of the communications device and requesting multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content. The method includes detecting connection of a peripheral device to the communications device and determining that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device. The method includes updating the presence information to indicate the increased multimedia capabilities and transmitting the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Luisa Attanasio, Giancarlo Carbone, Giuseppe Ciano, Francesco Lecciso, Luigi Pichetti, Stefano Sidoti
  • Patent number: 8719887
    Abstract: A system includes a receiver and a communication interface. The receiver is adapted to tune to an audio/video portion over a transport medium. The communication interface is adapted to receive announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video content directed to a first addressable location and to receive a special announcement directed to the first addressable location. The special announcement indicates availability of the announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video program, and the announcement data is associated with the tuned audio/video content and indicates enhancement data is being transmitted. The controller is adapted to redirect the announcement data to a second addressable location other than the first addressable location in response to the special announcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne J. Carr
  • Patent number: 8701152
    Abstract: Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Xuemin Chen, Rajesh Shankarrao Mamidwar, Wade Wan, Steve Krafft, Guangcai Zhou
  • Patent number: 8667548
    Abstract: Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Xuemin Chen, Rajesh Shankarrao Mamidwar, Anand Tongle, Victor Hou
  • Patent number: 8639792
    Abstract: A job processing system has first to third servers. The first server has a job generation program for generating jobs as requested. The second server has a storage device for storing attribute information on and a file for use in processing each job generated by the first server, a management table for managing job management information on each job by assigning a unique ID to each job, and a queue control program for registering job management information in the management table, referring to the management table, and registering the file for and attribute information on each job in the storage device. The third server has one or more job processing programs for processing jobs acquired from the second server, batch control program for acquiring jobs from the second server and issuing responses concerning the processed jobs, and a storage device for storing attribute information on and a file for each job acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Mineyuki Tamura
  • Patent number: 8627350
    Abstract: A processor is configured to receive a digital video stream, calculate a hash of an I-Frame within the digital video stream, and submit the hash to a server. The processor is further configured to receive location information in response to submitting the hash to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Armstrong Soo, Bernard Ku, Zhi Li
  • Patent number: 8620207
    Abstract: A wireless cellular or other device to control distribution and presentation of audio, video, or combined audio and video content transmitted from a content server and delivered to at least one contiguous device at substantially the same time. The cellular device sends control signals via various wireless communication protocols based upon user input. The control signals are sent to a content server attached to a TCP/IP network. The wireless cellular device and the content server interact through a request and reply interface, located within the wireless cellular device, based on inputs from the wireless device user. Content available for transmission from the content server is displayed and subsequently selected by the user. Separate audio and video content may be distributed to individually distinct rendering devices contiguous to and selected by the user. During or after the content is transmitted, the user may interact with the content through the wireless cellular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Michael D. Harold
  • Patent number: 8621541
    Abstract: Maintaining a file specifying a “donut” of dynamic, hierarchical, shared user-profile information. The donut contains a user profile or acts as a key to a data repository containing it, and it specifies user-profile information such as user characteristics, viewing preferences, hobbies, and spending habits. The donut is accessed by browser programs, associated web server programs, and other applications for use in routing content to the user associated with the donut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: OpenTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Ullman, Jeffrey M. Harrington, Michael R. Abato, Carl R. Duda
  • Patent number: 8621544
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer-readable storage media are disclosed to mitigate video artifacts in video content transmission. A method to mitigate video artifacts in a video content transmission includes analyzing one or more video quality metrics received from each of a first plurality of video content receivers to determine a representative set of one or more video quality metrics. At least one of the video quality metrics of the representative set is associated with artifacts of a first portion of the video content transmission. The method further includes setting one or more encoder parameters based on the at least one of the video quality metrics of the representative set, encoding a second portion of the video content transmission using the one or more encoder parameters, and transmitting the encoded second portion to a second plurality of video content receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Li, Raghvendra Savoor
  • Patent number: 8613030
    Abstract: A wireless video camera system including a single or dual HDTV digital camera; a system for the wireless transmission of uncompressed single or multiple SMPTE 292M, HDSDI data streams over an RF band; and automatic self-pointing transmitting and receiving antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventors: Philip S Kossin, John E Nelson
  • Patent number: 8610834
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively implementing a charging base for a remote control includes a television device that is controlled by the remote control over a wireless RC-TV communications link. The charging base recharges a battery of the remote control when the remote control is docked to the charging base. In addition, the remote control may be docked to the charging base for bi-directionally communicating with the television and other external entities over a wireless base-TV communications link. Furthermore, various compatible peripheral devices may also recharge their batteries and bi-directionally communicate with the television and the external entities over the base-TV communications link while the peripheral devices are docked to the charging base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hardacker, Christopher Read, Brant Candelore
  • Patent number: 8613032
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes: a specific receiver configured to receive, from a communication apparatus connected via a network, list information of a plurality of network services each of which provides data, destination information indicating a connection destination for each of the network services, and setting information corresponding to each of the network services and indicating a setting to a display to receive the data from each of the network services; a display controller configured to control displaying of the list information; a selection receiver configured to receive a selection of the network service included in the list information that is displayed; and a setting controller configured to set the display according to the setting information corresponding to the selected network service and configured to control the display to display the data received from the connection destination for the selected network service indicated by the destination information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Osamu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8607286
    Abstract: A method, an equipment and a system for reducing a media delay are disclosed. A media processing unit receives a media switching request sent from a media receiving unit, and sends a response message and a media stream of a second media service to the media receiving unit according to the media switching request, where the response message includes information for the media receiving unit to reduce the media delay, so that the media receiving unit performs a media quickening process on the media stream of the second media service according to the received message including the information for reducing the media delay. An equipment and a system for reducing a media delay are also provided, which increase the switching efficiency of the media streams, reduce the difference of the display delay among different user media, and improve the degree of user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peilin Yang, Bing Sun, Yekui Wang
  • Patent number: 8595782
    Abstract: According to the invention, a video distribution system is disclosed. The video distribution system distributes a video program in a first aspect ratio and includes information to convert the first aspect ratio to a second aspect ratio. Included in the video distribution system are a distribution point and a video converter that is located remotely from the distribution point. The video converter receives the information and the video program from the distribution point. The video converter uses the information to guide conversion between the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Starz Entertainment Group LLC
    Inventors: John J. Sie, John C. Beyler
  • Patent number: 8589992
    Abstract: A method and system for a video workflow automation platform (VWAP) for publishing a video feed in multiple formats is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Istreamplanet Co.
    Inventor: Mio Babic
  • Patent number: 8589423
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and providing enhanced screenshots may include executing instructions stored in memory to evaluate at least a portion of a viewing frustum generated by the instructions to determine one or more objects included therein, obtain metadata associated with the one or more objects, and generate at least one enhanced screenshot indicative of the at least a portion of the viewing frustum by associating the metadata of each of the one or more objects with a location of each of the one or more objects within the at least one enhanced screenshot to create hotspots indicative of each of the one or more objects such that selection at least one hotspot by a computing system causes at least a portion of the metadata associated with the at least one hotspot to be displayed on a display device of a computing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Red 5 Studios, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kern, David Nikdel, Scott Youngblood
  • Patent number: 8583644
    Abstract: Provided Web broadcast information is managed by annotation markers. At least one marker is received that annotates the audio and/or video information and the annotated audio and/or video information is saved in an electronically searchable file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: James Carlton Bedingfield, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8578427
    Abstract: A method of swapping channels in a broadcast system includes a broadcast operation channel management system receiving broadcast operation channel swap data for a first station and a second station. The channel swap data comprises an effective date, a first station identifier and a first position and a second station identifier and a second position. A traffic scheduling system database communicates a first channel mapping data for a first channel to the broadcast operation channel management system. The traffic scheduling system database communicates a second channel mapping for a second channel to the broadcast operation channel management system. The broadcast operation channel updates the first channel mapping to form a first updated first channel mapping by setting a first end date of the first channel mapping to the effective date for the first station and communicating the first updated first channel mapping to the traffic scheduling database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph T Hayes, Trang V Luu, Mark T Takamoto, Jonathan L Tronson, Gilbert Zaldivar
  • Patent number: 8560718
    Abstract: The present invention provides multi media video streams via high speed internet to a worldwide audience by using a specialized automation system with audio and video switching capabilities. This system provides video media streams to multiple platforms such as, cell phones, internet websites, and cable television subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventor: Ronald R. Davenport, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8544052
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transmitting a multimedia frame through a heterogeneous network in a broadcast system supporting a multimedia service based on an interne protocol are provided. The method includes generating header information including a frame identifier distinguishing a multimedia frame and information measuring a quality of a connection service between network layers and end-to-end network capabilities, and combining the header information and multimedia data to configure the multimedia frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Mo Park, Sung-Oh Hwang, Jae-Yeon Song
  • Patent number: 8533767
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating content to users that includes a prioritizer and a listing module communicating the category and content identifier for a content to the prioritizer. The prioritizer associates a lifecycle having a plurality of lifecycle states with the category, assigns a first priority to the content in response to a first lifecycle state of the plurality of lifecycle states, changes the first lifecycle state to a second lifecycle state and changes the first priority to a second priority in response to changing the first lifecycle state to the second lifecycle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Wei Chien Tsang, Raynold M. Kahn, Lonnie Scott Clabaugh, John D. Choi
  • Patent number: 8528016
    Abstract: A set-top box may receive program guide information from a server. The program guide information may identify a group of programs and specify, for each program, an indicator of set-top boxes tuned to the each program or providing the each program. The set-top box may further provide, to a display and using the received program guide information, a program guide, where the program guide represents each program, in the group of programs, as a shape, and where a size of each shape corresponds to the indicator of set-top boxes tuned to the represented program or providing the represented program. The set-top box may also receive updated program guide information from the server and dynamically increase or decrease at least one shape in the program guide, based on the updated program guide information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Raul Aldrey, Shafiq Kassam
  • Patent number: 8528013
    Abstract: A content delivery system headend is provided. The headend includes a Switched Digital Video (SDV) manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscribers over an access network. The headend also includes an input unit such as a server for receiving content to be broadcast during the SDV sessions. Additionally, the headend includes a subscriber control unit for comparing channel change requests received by the SDV manager from subscribers to subscriber-established rules. Tuning information for accessing programming specified in the channel change requests is only supplied if the channel change requests do not conform to any of the subscriber-established rules for blocking the programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce Bradley
  • Patent number: 8522296
    Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus and a configuration method thereof are provided in which the broadcast receiving apparatus can be configured according to configuration setting values received from outside. The broadcast receiving apparatus is configured according to configuration setting values of the broadcast receiving apparatus, which are received from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-il Kim, Joon-hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8522266
    Abstract: A system and method for prioritizing the insertion of recorded media into a broadcast stream according to a comparison of priority indicators in the broadcast stream and in the recorded media insertion. The recorded media insertion may be multi-media in nature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: JLB Ventures LLC
    Inventors: Dan Kikinis, Yakov Kamen
  • Patent number: RE44685
    Abstract: A distributed computer system, as for transmitting and receiving executable multimedia applications, includes a source of a continuous data stream repetitively transfering data representing a distributed computing application and a client computer, receiving the data stream, for extracting the distributed computing application representative data from the data stream, and executing the extracted distributed computing application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: OpenTV, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuriacose Joseph, Ansley Wayne Jessup, Vincent Dureau, Alain Delpuch